Once on this Island is a fable of love and loss, community and connection, set against the backdrop of class struggle and one girl’s journey to find her place in the world. Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues and falls in love with a wealthy boy, Daniel, from the other side of her island. To save his life, she makes a terrible deal with the gods of her world who like to play games with humanity. When Daniel returns to his life of wealth and privilege, Ti Moune sets out to find him to prove to the gods that her capacity for unconditional love is stronger than the will of Death itself.

Written by the Tony-Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime), this Olivier-Award-winning adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score.

Directors: Jessica O’Brien and Damon Brown
Music Director: Mattie Robinson
Choreographer:  Jessica O’Brien

The Georgetown Palace announces auditions for our Springer Stage production of Once On This Island. The production is scheduled to open Friday, May 19, 2023 and close on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We’re looking for talented and diverse performers of all ethnicities for all roles who will have a lot of fun bringing this musical to life, ages 7 and up. The story of Once On This Island takes place on the islands in the Caribbean Sea known as the French Antilles. We hope the cast reflects the diverse population of that region, as well as in our world, to show the contrast and beautiful spectrum of races within it. Performers whether Asian, Black/African Descent, Ethnically Ambiguous/Multiracial, Indigenous Peoples, Latino/Hispanic, Middle Eastern, South Asian/Indian, Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander, and Caucasian, are encouraged to audition. The younger auditioners will only be considered only for Young Ti Moune. 

Ensemble will be 16 years and older. 

Once On This Island Character Breakdown  

THE AUDITIONS:

Auditions will begin on the Springer Stage on Sunday, February 19, 2023 from 6:00p-10:00p with a singing audition. 

Auditions will consist of singing 16 bars of your choosing from a musical in the style of the show. Please choose 2 contrasting songs as you may be asked to sing both, but it is imperative that you keep it to only 16 bars (about a minute). You are free to use songs from the show, as well, if you like. An accompanist will be provided or you can bring your own tracks to use. Any chosen tracks will need to be backing tracks only with no other voices. You may not sing acapella. 

Monday, February 20th will be dance/movement auditions on the Springer Stage from 6:30 pm-10:00 pm. If your audition on Sunday is from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm then you’ll be dancing at 7:00 pm on Monday. If your audition on Sunday is from 7:45 pm-10:00 pm then you’ll be dancing at 8:30 pm on Monday. Both groups will learn the same dance combinations. Some dancers may be asked to stay after for a more elaborate dance audition combination. Please wear something comfortable to dance in that will not get into the way of your movements – Please do not wear jeans to the dance call. A dancing audition is required for all performers. Auditioners will need to bring jazz shoes. If you don’t own jazz or ballet shoes, please bring comfortable sneaker type shoes you’re able to move in.

THE CALLBACKS:

Callbacks will be in person on Tuesday, February 21st by invitation only from 7:00 pm to 10 pm on the Springer Stage. Callbacks are posted on the Palace website, but an email with the callback link will be sent to all audition participants when the callback list gets posted online. Callbacks will consist of singing and sides. Dancing will be noted in the callbacks if additional dance is needed. 

Audition Sign Ups can be found HERE

REHEARSALS:

Once On This Island will begin rehearsals on or around Monday, March 27, 2023. Scripts and Scores will be available for pick up before the first rehearsal to those who are offered roles in our production.

Rehearsals are typically held Monday through Thursday from 7:00-10:00 pm and Saturdays or Sundays* from 1:00-5:00 pm.

*Sunday rehearsals will only be put onto the schedule if Saturdays become unavailable due to too many cast conflicts. Please put Saturday and Sunday conflicts on your form.

PERFORMANCES:

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.
Sometimes ticket demand causes us to add Saturday Matinee performances at 2 pm. 

CONFLICTS:

Please make sure to notate all conflicts that you are aware of on your conflict sheet when filling out your audition form. It is difficult to create a rehearsal schedule if we do not know all of your conflicts up front. Adding all of your conflicts after casting could result in removal of the production.

CASTING:

Once casting is completed (typically 2-3 days after callbacks), emails will be sent to the actors that will be offered a role in the production. Once the full cast has accepted, everyone else who auditioned will be notified via email.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS: 

Everyone should self-monitor for symptoms and stay home if they do not feel well. You should also wear a mask if you have direct exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and get tested on the 5th day following the exposure.

We’re constantly monitoring and evaluating our policies and will update them based on guidance from the CDC.

The Georgetown Palace Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment in which all community members feel a sense of belonging and does not discriminate in casting practices on the basis of an individual’s ethnicity, age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, country of origin, or other factors.  We strongly encourage candidates of all ages, abilities, gender, and ethnicities to audition.

Please see our operating standards at the following link:
Georgetown Palace Operating Standards

Everyone involved with the production must submit to a background check at the Palace’s expense. If you are cast, you will receive a secure link where you can fill it out. There is no cost to you.

The Georgetown Palace Theatre is a 501c3 non-profit organization. There is no compensation for any of the actors at this time.  

If you have any questions, please email productions@georgetownpalace.com.